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Get more from your shiny box of joy: Taking Apple TVs to the next levelMon, 02 Mar 2015 14:10:52 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Apple TV software update 7.0.1 released with security fixes (updated)http://www.appletvhacks.net/2014/10/21/apple-tv-software-update-7-0-1-released-with-security-fixes/
http://www.appletvhacks.net/2014/10/21/apple-tv-software-update-7-0-1-released-with-security-fixes/#commentsTue, 21 Oct 2014 22:40:10 +0000http://www.appletvhacks.net/?p=7813Visit What's on iPhone for the best iPad and iPhone app reviews!Do you want to feel like a wizard? Check the Kymera wand in Amazon: You can control your Apple TV waving a wand!
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Very few people noticed that Apple released Apple TV software update 7.0.1 for the 3rd gen Apple TV yesterday alongside iOS 8.1. Although the company hasn’t updated the Apple TV support page yet, it seems that the update only addresses some security vulnerabilities.

Impact: A malicious Bluetooth input device may bypass pairing. Description: Unencrypted connections were permitted from Human Interface Device-class Bluetooth Low Energy accessories. If a device had paired with such an accessory, an attacker could spoof the legitimate accessory to establish a connection. The issue was addressed by denying unencrypted HID connections.

Impact: An attacker may be able to decrypt data protected by SSL. Description: There are known attacks on the confidentiality of SSL 3.0 when a cipher suite uses a block cipher in CBC mode. An attacker could force the use of SSL 3.0, even when the server would support a better TLS version, by blocking TLS 1.0 and higher connection attempts. This issue was addressed by disabling CBC cipher suites when TLS connection attempts fail.

Let us know in the comments if you discover any other changes in Apple TV 7.0.1.

Rumors on the Apple TV 4 has been pouring in from all ends of the virtual net, lately. The baseline speculations hit a spike couple of weeks back when iLounge learned from a reliable source that the next Apple TV will support native gaming. It was reported to come with a revamped iOS-based firmware and an build-in Apple TV App Store. We were also told that a Bluetooth controller is in the works and predicted Apple TV 4 to be in shelves as early as March.

But all the speculations received a new backbone this evening as things become close to official. Developers have spotted references to an unlaunched Apple TV 4.1 within iOS 7 builds. According to 9to5Mac:

The reference is inside of an Apple TV framework related to the device’s AirPlay functionality. The mention of the next Apple TV is the highlighted “AppleTV4,1.” The current Apple TV is “AppleTV3,2″ while “3,1″ is the 1080P model introduced in March 2012, and 2,1 is the first iOS model introduced in September 2010.

The sighting of Apple TV 4,1 is confirmation that the new device is in the works. The nomenclature also indicates that the new Apple TV model will remain as part of the Apple TV product family. The jump from 3,2 to 4,1 also confirms that the device will see notable changes in terms of internal components.

They’ve also found references to a new game controller system but they’re not sure whether they “are just left over from the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch or if they indicate confirmation of Game Controllers being able to connect to the next-generation Apple TV product.”

So this is the take away: an Apple TV launch is imminent. Though not sure of the exact changes or the release date, we can be sure that it will happen soon. Apple unveiled the last Apple TV in March and also the iOS 7.1 is said to be arriving in March. So is the next Apple TV just a month away? Let us know what do you think!

Alongside the release of iOS 7.1 beta, Apple has issued a new Apple TV software beta. The new beta specifically “enables users to mirror content of an iPad to an Apple TV using AirPlay.”

The update doesn’t go into too much detail to explain what this statement refers to, but I expect it is tackling some issues which have arisen from the recent enhancements to AirPlay on Apple TV as a result of the new iOS 6.0 firmware recently deployed to Apple TV.

If you’re a developer you can find the Apple TV software beta in the iOS developer center. Apple notes that this latest firmware is being provided to test the latest AirPlay functionality with iOS apps.

Apple has today released new support documentation for the newly implemented Apple TV setup feature that was introduced last week in the Apple TV 6.0 software update.

Owners of the third generation Apple TV running the new 6.0 firmware can use an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch running iOS 7 to automatically transfer network settings, Apple ID information, and language preferences to the Apple TV.

The information exchange is done via Bluetooth by simply touching the iOS device to the Apple TV, which takes advantage of the Bluetooth LE built into all Apple devices after the iPhone 4.

Apple’s recently published support article offers further detailed instructions of the process:

1. Connect your Apple TV to your television and power and wait until your Apple TV displays the setup screen.

2. Unlock your iOS 7 device and ensure that Bluetooth is enabled. Also ensure that you are connected to the Wi-Fi network you want to use with Apple TV.

3. Touch your iOS device to your Apple TV and wait for the prompts to appear on your iOS device and Apple TV.

4. Enter your Apple ID and password on your iOS device.

5. Choose if you want Apple TV to remember your Apple ID password, and if you want Apple TV to send data to Apple.

It’s only been a few days since we posted about a new firmware bringing Apple TV to version 6.0 and an array of new features, but the update has since been pulled following a few issues including connectivity problems and even reports of bricking.

If you haven’t updated to Apple TV 6.0 then you’re going to have to wait since the update is no longer available. For most, Apple TV 6.0 brought iTunes Radio support, support for Shared Photo Streams, and an AirPlay update. However, for others their Apple TV got bricked and they were forced to grab a USB cable and connect it to a Mac or PC and restore it.

Apple haven’t come out with any official statement regarding pulling Apple TV 6.0 but checking for a software update shows Apple TV 5.3 as the latest version.

If you haven’t updated to Apple TV 6.0 yet, make sure you wait until a safer update has been issued with whatever issues were present fixed. Apple will activate a new Apple TV 6.0 when it is considered stable via the software update, so make sure you don’t download it from any other source, or you’ll be experiencing issues.

UPDATE: Although it has been confirmed by @MuscleNerd that evasi0n would support Apple TV 2, it seems that it doesn’t. Based on earlier news from evad3rs team, we believed their jailbreak was compatible with Apple TV 2 when publishing the below post just a few minutes after evasi0n went live. We are very sorry for causing confusion. We now have to wait for Seas0nPass to be updated with iOS 6.x support for Apple TV 2. We believe it won’t take long.

Are you one of the many unfortunate people to attempt Apple’s latest update on your Apple TV? Did you click the update button only to be met with an error message, an incomplete download, or a completely useless little black puck like all the folks on Apple Forums? Well, if this is not you, breathe a sigh of relief. If this is you, have no fear, Apple TV Hacks is here!

We have come across a fix posted by the folks at TidBITS, and the likely cause, of this little blunder. As usual, you can blame CABLE! No, not Comcast or Time Warner but the Ethernet cable! It would seem that this is happening to those of you whom are attempting to do the update via an Ethernet connection. To fix the problem, follow the steps below:

ITEMS NEEDED:

Apple TV

WIFI

STEPS

Use WiFi instead of Ethernet to update your Apple TV to 5.1.1

According to TidBITS:

The solution is to unplug the Ethernet cable and update over Wi-Fi. That has worked for many people for whom the update wouldn’t install. However, if your install failed such that the Apple TV won’t boot at all, you can manually restore the Apple TV by unplugging the power and HDMI cables, and connecting it to your computer with a micro USB cable (for a third-generation Apple TV, you’ll have to reconnect the power cable after this).

It is so easy, that it is insulting.

As always: if you are on jailbroken ATV2, stay away from this update for now if you don’t want to lose your jailbreak.

iTunes Up Next
Adds support for Up Next with iTunes 11 or iTunes Match. See upcoming songs when playing music on your Apple TV. Add new songs and edit what’s queued with your Remote or with the Remote app.

Stability and performance
Includes performance and stability improvements with the iTunes Store, AirPlay, Netflix, iTunes Match, and wired Ethernet connections.

AppleInsiderdiscoverd a growing thread at the Apple Support Communities website where users report issues after updating their Apple TVs (2nd and 3rd generation) to the latest Apple TV 5.1 software. It looks like many Apple TVs are getting bricked after running the update:

After running the software update option on the Apple TV, a number of users indicated that the hardware simply displayed a blinking light, while nothing but a black screen is shown on their HDTV. Others found that their Apple TV could no longer connect to their network after updating, rendering the streaming-centric device useless.

According to AppleInsider, manually downgrading the Apple TV software to version 5.0.2 has been discovered to work as a possible fix:

The process requires installing an IPSW restore file from Apple, plugging the Apple TV into a Mac or PC with a micro USB cable, and force restoring the software through iTunes.

Apple TV software update 5.1 has been released on September 24, 2012. The biggest changes included support for Shared Photo Streams, the ability to switch between iTunes accounts and to send audio content from Apple TV to AirPlay-enabled speakers and devices